Walk the stunning Amalfi coast and explore the fascinating ruins of Pompeii

The Amalfi Coast is one of the most dramatic and beautiful coastlines in Europe. Mountains rise steeply out of the Mediterranean far below and picturesque towns nestle neatly in isolated coves. While walking the Amalfi Coast we follow mule tracks and old paths through hillside villages, lemon groves and beautiful deep gorges, we descend from our rural base on the Agerola Plain to the towns with their narrow streets, whitewashed buildings and fascinating churches, monasteries and cathedrals. Away from the trails there is plenty of time to partake in the traditional Amalfi pastimes of sampling incredible food and wine, as well as enjoying the Mediterranean climate. This walking holiday in Italy would not be complete without seeing the incredible Roman remains beneath the volcanic cone of Vesuvius. In 79AD the two Roman towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum were engulfed in volcanic ash and pumice when Vesuvius erupted, preserving the buildings and leaving a unique insight into the day-to-day life of the average Roman citizen. Saving the best till last, we complete our week with one of the world's great walks, the 'Walk of the Gods'.

Itinerary

2Day 2An impressive walk to top of Monte Tre Calli for great wide-open views of the coastline.

From the front door of the hotel it's a short stroll to the village square (or in the case of Bomerano, a triangle) and the start of our walk. The route today is a good chance to stretch the legs. Following a mixture of paths and tracks we ascend to the top of Monte Tre Calli, where we are rewarded with spectacular wide-open views of the coastline and the sea. The Agerola Plain and the village of Bomerano is laid out below us and looking west on a clear day we can see the famous island of Capri at the westernmost tip of the Sorrentino Peninsula.See more images and videos

3Day 3Follow mule tracks and steps down to Amalfi; free afternoon to explore the famous cathedral.

After breakfast, we start our walk to Amalfi and the glorious coast. Today certainly has a downhill bias as we follow the path down from Bomerano at 700m to the shores of the Mediterranean and the town of Amalfi. Wonderful views of the Amalfi Coast accompany us as we follow the trail. There are sections of steps today (approx. 2600 in total), but there is plenty of opportunity to rest and go at your own pace. Amalfi itself has been popular with the British since Edwardian times when the upper classes favoured the town as a pleasant place to spend their winters. The large Duomo (Cathedral) dominates the town with its bright coloured tiles so typical of the region. We have free time to explore the town, take a swim or enjoy a well-earned ice cream before we return by bus to Bomerano.See more images and videos

4Day 4Drive to Bay of Naples; visit fascinating ruins of Pompeii and take an optional walk up Mt Vesuvius.

We transfer after breakfast to the Bay of Naples where we spend the morning visiting the amazing city of Pompeii. During the long catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius which spanned two days in AD 79, Pompeii was completely buried in ash and pumice. Lost for 1700 years, Pompeii's perfectly preserved remains give us an amazing insight into the life of a Roman city. After lunch, we travel by bus high up onto the slopes of Vesuvius itself. Depending on the weather conditions, you may choose to be led by a specialist Volcano guide through one of the many incredible walks around the crater of Vesuvius (optional).

Starting from Amalfi, follow the stream gently upwards through lemon groves, past the shells of former paper factories (a major local industry from the 12th to 19th centuries) and medieval ironworks into the Valle delle Ferriere National Park. Continue on, crossing wooden bridges and following shady paths carpeted with wild flowers in season, to the beautiful moss-clad waterfalls within the closed gates of the nature reserve. Exodus groups have exclusive access to this beautiful protected area; a real privilege as entrance is restricted to those with prior authorisation. The route then follows the track back before turning up to the quaint village of Pontone. We stop to take in outstanding views of Amalfi and enjoy a picnic lunch in the charming village piazza before proceeding up to Ravello, a town much favoured by the Bloomsbury set and other artists and intellectuals due to its secluded location and inspirational scenery. Take some time to explore at your leisure; perhaps visit Villa Cimbrone with its meticulously landscaped gardens, (9km, approx. 4 hours walking)See more images and videos

6Day 6Free day to relax or take a boat to Capri, visit Naples, Ravello or Herculaneum (all optional).

Day at leisure to relax at the hotel or go down to the seafront. The hotel also offers private transfers (payable locally) to the most popular attractions in the region not covered during the rest of the week, including the city of Herculaneum. Also destroyed during the disaster of 79AD, Herculaneum was buried in mud rather than ash and it is said that this lead to the site being even better preserved than the bigger Pompeii. You might instead choose to take a ferry to the chic island of Capri and the funicular through lemon groves up to Capri town (seasonal). These optional excursions can be arranged locally by your leader. Alternatively, spend the free day by the pool or in true Italian style in a café, sipping espresso and watching the world go by!See more images and videos

7Day 7Walk of the Gods' with superb panoramic views all the way to Positano; return by boat to Amalfi; try some locally-made Mozzarella cheese.

Our final walk and a fitting finale to the week as we enjoy one of the world's finest day walks. Leaving from our front door step it's a short stroll through the quiet village of Bomerano before we join the Walk of the Gods. The route follows the contours of the land for the majority of the day with amazing views of the Amalfi Coastline far below. In season the hillside is carpeted with flowers and the coastal waters teem with cruisers and pleasure boats. Our destination today is Positano, an almost vertical town of colourful buildings reached by a network of ancient paths and tracks. On the way there is plenty of time to admire one of the most beautiful views of the Amalfi Coast before we descend a long series of steps to the beautiful coastal town of Positano. There is time for private exploration before we return in the late afternoon to our hotel by boat and bus. During the preceding days many meals will have included some delicious locally made smoked Mozzarella and we will have the chance to see its production and take a taste.

Your images

Guided Group

This is a small group guided holiday. The group is usually between 4 and 16 in size, with an average of 12 like-minded clients booking individually, in a couple or as friends together.

Activity level

You are reasonably fit, enjoy the outdoors and are looking for some exercise. Some previous experience is preferable for activity based trips.

What's included

What's included

All breakfasts, 4 packed lunches and 6 dinners

All accommodation (see below)

All transport and listed activities

Tour leader throughout

Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)

What's not included

Travel insurance

Single accommodation (available on request from GBP200)

Visas or vaccinations

Accommodation details

Hotel Due Torri - 3 Star

You will spend 7 nights in the family run Hotel Due Torri, a 3 star hotel in Bomerano, a small village in Agerola. All rooms have en suite facilities and there is a newly built small outdoor swimming pool. The village is very quiet and provides a relaxing retreat from the busier towns by the sea. Wifi is available at the hotel for a small fee of €1 (valid for 24 hrs - non consecutive).

Single rooms are available for a supplement from GBP200 payable in advance. Please note availability is greatly restricted so this will be offered on a first come, first served basis.

Essential info

Vaccinations and Visa
No visa required for British passport holders.
Please note in Italy it is compulsory to carry ID with you at all times. Holiday style

Activity Level: Leisurely/Moderate.
4 days centre-based walking with low altitude throughout.
The Amalfi Coast is home to some of the best-loved walks in Europe; the varied scenery and temperate climate make this a heaven for hikers and ramblers. The pace of the walks allows time to rest and enjoy the views, however, the terrain encountered on some of the paths is similar what you may find on a moderate walking trip.
The terrain and type of path will vary from man-made paved tracks, tarmac to forest trails. Whilst most walks are manageable for those with a good level of fitness, the walks involve some steep climbs and descents on slightly loose terrain and some have sections on narrow pathways alongside some sheer drops (not recommended for severe vertigo sufferers). Optional walks on Mount Vesuvius are on rocky cinder/gravel trails and likely to be loose underfoot, with steep sections and quite large drops in places. On a couple of days, there are considerable sections of steps, which make the walks unsuitable for those with knees problems.
Walks usually take between 4 and 6 hours including lunch stops (depending on the pace of your group) and require a moderate level of fitness.
Summer temperatures can make some of the walks more strenuous.

Eating & drinking

All breakfasts, 4 packed lunches and 6 dinners are included.
Breakfast: Continental style with a choice of cereal, bread, pastries, yoghurt, orange juice and milk with an array of teas/coffee.
Lunch: Usually a sandwich filled with a choice of cold meats, tuna or locally made cheeses.
Dinner: All evening meals are taken in the hotel, where the standard is excellent, and are typically Italian. Meals usually consist of four courses, commencing with antipasti, followed by soup and/or pasta, a main meat dish with salad or vegetables and dessert. Vegetarian choices are always available. On certain evenings, there is the opportunity to learn how to make the famous Neapolitan pizza. (Drinks NOT included)

Trip notes

Download the detailed trip notes for everything you could possibly want
to know about this trip, including detailed itinerary and full kit list.

Weather & seasonality

Southern Italy, in common with a lot of the Mediterranean, possesses a hot, dry climate in summer and cooler but slightly damper spring and autumn periods. At coastal levels winters are mild and damp. Rainfall is most expected in winter months with an average of one day in three affected. Unseasonable cold spells are possible at any time of year, during which time you will need warm clothes, especially in Bomerano where evening temperatures can be lower than expected. It is very important to be equipped for cooler weather in early spring, late autumn and the winter.

Gallery

Reviews & community

great hikes along the coast combined with visiting local towns, swimming in the Mediterranean, exploring Pompeii and Vesuvius and Herculaneum. Most of the hikes offer unique views and explorations of the area which our guide knew well, but it can be VERY hot in the area in July and hikes are rarely on level ground.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The great views while on hikes, seeing Herculaneum with few people there, walking the rim of Mt. Vesuvius.

What did you think of your group leader?

guide was good , she knew the area well, was conscious of hikers different abilities,

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

There is a day off, I would try to organize what u would anticipate what u want to do ahead of time (Capri, kayak, etc).

Is there anything else you would like to add?

This is a great way to see Amalfi, easily combined with a visit to Naples, Rome, Florence, etc.

Although the weather was extremely hot we kept to our scheduled itinerary, taking in Herculiam as a extra bonus on the way back to the airport. We managed two sea swims at the end of a couple of walks , and I can tell you floating on you back in a warmish sea looking back up to the cliffs where we had just walks was wonderful.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Not sure the was one inspirational moment , may be the views from the cliff footpaths ?

What did you think of your group leader?

Ace, could very easily run out of superlatives, nothing was too much trouble , and the polite insistence on drink stops was on reflection essential. As stated the extra trip to Herrculiam was her idea and well worth it.
5 Stars

Marta’s passion for travel and languages started at a very young age. Tiring of her little village in Italy she decided to cross the border and travel around Europe, hoping to improve her English, Spanish and German. It was England however that stole her heart: after studying in the UK as an Erasmus student in 2009, her life has never been the same! After taking a Masters in Tourism Destination Management she joined Exodus as a Customer Operations Executive, where she looks after trips to Italy, Spain and Portugal – she hasn’t forgotten her Mediterranean origins!

Questions about your trip

Will the hotel have towels?

The Hotel Le Due Torri provides towels for all guests, so there is no need to take one with you.

Brendan Phelan - Customer Operations

Do any gastronomic delights await me?

Lots! Apart from the hearty home made food awaiting you at the hotel, one of the highlights is the locally made smoked mozzarella, delicious with salads or melted over pizzas. If there is time during the week, you should get a chance to visit one of the local producers and sample it fresh off the production line!

You'll be surprised by the variety of food you will be sampling on your stay at Bomerano, starting with antipasti, home made pasta, delicious Neapolitan pizza and seafood. Vegetables also play a big role in the Mediterranean diet, not forgetting the gelato, the "Baba", a typical Neapolitan dessert and the notorious Limoncello liquer. Please note you should advise us in advance if you have any special dietary requirements so we can let the hotel know.

Brendan Phelan - Customer Operations

Should I take walking poles with me?

Walking poles can be useful, especially on the optional walk to Vesuvius where the trails can be gravelly and somewhat loose underfoot. Routes on the coast can involve long ascents or descents and poles are also recommended here.

Stefania Aniello - Customer Operations

Is there any dress code at the Amalfi hotel?

We have used the Hotel Le Due Torri for many years and receive constant feedback on how much people have enjoyed the family atmosphere and amazing food. So no, the hotel is very casual and friendly and there is no need to pack anything too fancy! People sometimes make a little effort for the last night's dinner (meaning a shirt instead of t-shirt) but that's about the extent of it.

Stefania Aniello - Customer Operations

Can I make my own way to the hotel in Bomerano?

The Hotel Le Due Torri is about 1hr 20mins drive from Naples airport, if that's where you fly in to. If you are taking a taxi it will cost approximately 160 Euros but it is cheaper to prebook transfers through our local operator for 80 Euros each way paid direct - please let us know in advance if you wish to do this.To reach Bomerano by public transport is relatively simple, and you should contact Exodus for more details on the best way to do this.

Stefania Aniello - Customer Operations

What kind of luggage should I take?

There's really no restiction, whatever feels comfortable for you. Whether that's a wheelie case or a rucksack, you won't be carrying it too far so don't worry!

Amanda Ceraolo - Product Manager

Exodus staff - expertise on hand to help

All the staff at Exodus share a passion for adventure travel, and are always happy to answer any questions you may have. You can find an expert for the area you are interested in here and can contact them to get further information. If you don't see your specific country listed, please email customerops@exodus.co.uk and they will get the answers you need!

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